Dealership Great Ideas — Aug. 20, 2014

August 20, 2014

Harley-Davidson of Atlanta celebrates 50th anniversary

Harley-Davidson of Atlanta hosted its 50th Anniversary Celebration Aug. 14-16. The Pre-Anniversary Party Extravaganza kicked off the weekend with a Thursday Customer Appreciation Bike Night on Aug. 14. The 6:30-9 p.m. event included free hot dogs and beer and music by Third Shift featuring Master Tech Bryan Gladu on guitar. Saturday’s festivities ran 11 am. to 6 p.m. with entertainment on two stages, including performances from Travis Tritt, Reluctant Saints and Sideshow Couple Captain and Maybelle. Saturday also included food trucks, a beer garden, vendors, prizes given away every hour and more. The dealership offered 15 percent off all licensed products throughout the weekend and 50 percent off the original price on all licensed clearance items on Saturday.

Thunder Tower Harley-Davidson owner buys Georgia dealership
Clayton County Harley-Davidson in Morrow, Ga., has been sold by Coweta Harrison to Gene Preston, the owner of Thunder Tower Harley-Davidson in Columbia, S.C. George C. Chaconas of Performance Brokerage Services facilitated the transaction.

In 1968, Charlie Harrison founded Harley-Davidson of Hapeville, Ga. The dealership relocated to Clayton County, Ga., in 1977 and began doing business as Clayton County Harley-Davidson. The dealership boasts a 60,000 square foot facility on 7 acres. It is the largest Harley-Davidson dealership in the Atlanta Metro area. Charlie Harrison passed away in 2009. His wife and co-owner, Coweta Harrison ran the day-to-day operations until the sale of the dealership on June 26, 2014.

The new owner is Gene Preston, current owner of Thunder Tower Harley-Davidson along with his son Chris Preston. Gene and his wife had always hoped to purchase a dealership in the Atlanta area where they enjoy a second home.

Indian dealership opens in Idaho

Sawtooth Indian Motorcycle, in Meridian, Idaho, is now open. The dealership is offering sales of Indian motorcycles, along with Indian demos.

Power 50 dealer adds EBR

Coleman Powersports, the Powersports Business Power 50 2013 No. 2 dealer, has added the EBR line of motorcycles to its Woodbridge, Va., location. The dealership will offer demos.

Indian/Victory dealership opens in San Jose

Spirit Motorcycles, an Indian and Victory dealership, recently opened in San Jose, Calif. The June 28-29 Grand Opening included demo rides, live music, food, a bike contest, giveaways and more. General manager Kevin King told the San Jose Mercury-News that the dealership is a high-end shop that is focused on customer service.